Average Cost for Will and Estate Planning in Florida

Estate planning is an important investment in your future and the legacy you have built. Creating a will, trusts, and other estate planning tools can safeguard your assets and provide peace of mind for your family. Many people delay starting estate planning until late in life, possibly out of concerns about the cost of hiring an attorney. The average cost for will and estate planning varies considerably, but the long-term benefits outweigh the expense.

Factors That Influence the Cost of Estate Planning

The cost of estate planning in Florida depends on various factors, including the complexity of the estate, the types of financial tools needed, and whether disputes are likely to arise. A simple will may be less expensive than creating multiple trusts, powers of attorney, and advanced healthcare directives.

Large estates or estates that include multiple properties often require more detailed planning. An experienced estate planning attorney can evaluate your goals and recommend cost-effective financial planning solutions that provide the appropriate level of protection to protect your estate.

Why Many People Find Estate Planning Is Worth the Investment

It is natural to have reservations about the cost of hiring an attorney for estate planning, but it is important to weigh those costs against the potential downside of not having effective estate planning tools in place.

Without a will or trust in place, families must rely on Florida’s intestacy laws and the probate courts to divide assets. This process can be time-consuming, stressful, and expensive. Estate planning tools such as trusts not only reduce conflict but also preserve wealth for the next generation.

By preparing now, you give your loved ones clarity, avoid unnecessary legal costs, and ensure that your legacy is passed down according to your wishes. Guidance from an estate planning attorney can protect you from serious long-term liabilities that could jeopardize all that you have worked to build.

Must-Know Will and Estate Planning Statistics in Florida

Estate planning plays an important role in protecting property and financial security for families across Florida. As of mid-2025, the average home value in Florida is about $382,000, making real estate one of the most significant assets to address in a will or trust.

Only 26% of Americans have a formal estate plan, even though 69% agree planning is important. Without these protections, families often rely on probate courts to resolve estates. Probate matters touch everyone’s life at some point.

In Fiscal Year 2023–24, Florida’s circuit courts managed nearly 146,763 probate-related filings. These cases are heard locally at venues such as the Volusia County Courthouse Annex, 125 E. Orange Avenue, Daytona Beach, and the Orange County Courthouse, 425 N. Orange Avenue, Orlando.

Once I Hire an Estate Planning Lawyer, What Happens Next?

Once you hire an estate planning lawyer, you start the process by having an in-depth consultation to review your goals, assets, and family circumstances. Your estate planning attorney can explain how Florida’s estate planning laws apply to your circumstances and recommend the right tools, such as wills, trusts, or powers of attorney.

These legal instruments are carefully drafted to reflect your wishes and ensure enforceability in court. Because every family’s needs differ, attorneys draw on experience handling diverse estate planning cases to create a personalized plan that secures your legacy and protects your loved ones.

FAQs

What Happens During Estate Planning?

Estate planning starts when your estate planning attorney learns about your goals. Once you and your lawyer come to an agreement on the types of financial tools you will need to achieve your goals, your attorney can gather financial documents and other information needed to draft, review, and execute those documents. Estate planning also requires periodic follow-ups following milestone events such as marriage, the birth of a child, and retirement.

Which Estate Planning Tools Can Help Me Avoid Probate?

Multiple estate planning tools can help your family greatly reduce the need for spending time in probate. A will directs the court on how property should be distributed, while properly structured trusts can allow assets to bypass probate altogether. When probate tools are used collectively to reduce the need for probate, the process of settling an estate can be simplified considerably.

Can an Estate Plan Save My Family Money in the Long Run?

Estate planning can save families significant time and expense by reducing the need for lengthy probate proceedings. Without a clear estate plan, beneficiaries and heirs may have to resort to costly litigation to resolve probate matters. Tools like trusts allow assets to transfer directly to beneficiaries. This can avoid court costs and preserve more of your estate for the loved ones you intend to provide for.

Does an Estate Plan Last for a Lifetime?

Certain estate planning tools will be effective until your death and do not require further changes or adjustments. Most estate plans will need to be revisited throughout the estate owner’s lifetime to ensure that the plan still reflects their goals. Priorities change over the course of a lifetime, and a thoughtful estate plan should account for those changing priorities.

When Should I Start My Estate Plan?

It is never too early to start your estate plan. Many people make the mistake of waiting too long to draft a power of attorney or estate planning tools that provide medical directives for end-of-life care. By starting the process early and periodically meeting with your estate planning attorney, you can prepare for unexpected challenges and the future with confidence.

Plan for Your Future With Confidence

The long-term benefits of estate planning far outweigh the expense of setting up wills, trusts, and other estate planning tools. At The Preston Law Firm, we have served clients in Daytona Beach and nearby communities since 1986, focusing on probate and estate planning matters.

With more than 50 years of combined legal experience and over 3,000 clients assisted since 2013, our firm brings proven authority and a trusted reputation to every case. Estate planning can protect the legacy you have built and ensure that your estate is distributed according to your wishes. Contact our office today to schedule your initial consultation so we can help you plan for the future with confidence.